Here's a good one. Some of you may know that I'm a collector of pre-Meiji era ukiyo-e. In particular, I collect Hiroshige woodblocks, and I've been looking for a few specific ones to round out the collection. I am looking for the first one in this link (the one with the cat looking out the window) (http://www.artline.com/associations/ifpda/ifpdafair/ifpdafair2000/exhibitors/staley/Carolyn_Staley.html). I've bought from her before, but she is unable to help this time.

I've also tried a few dealers around town, with no success, but I know that this being Japan, there is some major vein of art-flow where finding an 1850's vintage print of this woodblock would be an easy task.

Any idea where I can do this? Major woodblock art fairs? Big-time dealers?

PM me. I think I know a guy who knows a guy who works at one of the local museums. I could ask him. ;)

Mike

Here's a good one. Some of you may know that I'm a collector of pre-Meiji era ukiyo-e. In particular, I collect Hiroshige woodblocks, and I've been looking for a few specific ones to round out the collection. I am looking for the first one in this link (the one with the cat looking out the window) (http://www.artline.com/associations/ifpda/ifpdafair/ifpdafair2000/exhibitors/staley/Carolyn_Staley.html). I've bought from her before, but she is unable to help this time.

I've also tried a few dealers around town, with no success, but I know that this being Japan, there is some major vein of art-flow where finding an 1850's vintage print of this woodblock would be an easy task.

Any idea where I can do this? Major woodblock art fairs? Big-time dealers?

This WAS available from the Edo Tokyo Museum just a couple of years ago.

I had a catalogue sheet at home with the whole range they did as part of some celebrations for Hiroshige's anniversary... or something like that (there's only so much I can work out as a non kanji reader).

I believe they made a limited amount of wooblock prints of each of the 'designs' which were then put on sale at the Museum. I think they were about 10,000 yen each.

I haven't understood whether the prints in the catalogue can be ordered - my brother selected the prints he wanted and then I picked up as many of them as I could at the museum this Christmas - I couldn't ask all the questions I wanted to in English or with my smattering of Japanese.

I don't have mine any more (it fell apart after something leaked on it) but I'm sure they could give you a catalogue at the museum gift store - and that will show you who the people who print them are.

FWIW - I'm pretty sure you can still get a postcard of this print there.

This WAS available from the Edo Tokyo Museum just a couple of years ago.

I had a catalogue sheet at home with the whole range they did as part of some celebrations for Hiroshige's anniversary... or something like that (there's only so much I can work out as a non kanji reader).

I believe they made a limited amount of wooblock prints of each of the 'designs' which were then put on sale at the Museum. I think they were about 10,000 yen each.


Unfortunately, I'm looking for the real McCoy (real Tanaka?), which is going to be a bit more than 10,000 yen...

Mrs. Pickles' birthday is coming up, and she likes that print, and is missing from the collection...

PM me. I think I know a guy who knows a guy who works at one of the local museums. I could ask him. ;)

Mike

I think you know the guy who owns one of the local museums. You could ask him, but probably overkill. Definitely, ask your friend (of a friend, riiight), I'm happy to talk further about this over Ma Po Dofu or similar.

PS. Did you talk to our Omotesando Hills friend about closing down the street on Saturdays/Sundays? Its gotten so bad that Mrs. Pickles won't enter the street on weekends anymore, and I'd agree it is somewhat unpleasant.

Will ake a couple of inquires in the next day or two. Can you give me a ballpark estimate of your expected price (via PM okay). Will do Ma Bo Dofu anytime whether I can get this for you or not. Love my spicy food. :)

Omotesando Hills and the street, Oy Vey. That is one for the books for sure. I spoke about it internally and the upshot is that Shibuya-Ku needs to see it as a good idea. That is going to be the hurdle. It is only because I can go in the back way and at odd hours that I even know what the place looks like inside. What a zoo!

Mike



I think you know the guy who owns one of the local museums. You could ask him, but probably overkill. Definitely, ask your friend (of a friend, riiight), I'm happy to talk further about this over Ma Po Dofu or similar.

PS. Did you talk to our Omotesando Hills friend about closing down the street on Saturdays/Sundays? Its gotten so bad that Mrs. Pickles won't enter the street on weekends anymore, and I'd agree it is somewhat unpleasant.

Off on a tangent: so where are you gents getting your Ma Po fix from?
In Akasaka favorites were Baiwan (one of the Kiwa Corp. restaurants, in a funky old building) and Chen's Ma Po Dofu (underneath the Akasaka Tokyu Hotel or whatever that one is called that has West Park on the 2nd floor).

Will ake a couple of inquires in the next day or two. Can you give me a ballpark estimate of your expected price (via PM okay). Will do Ma Bo Dofu anytime whether I can get this for you or not. Love my spicy food. :)


Depending on the condition, which printing series it belongs to (earlier printing is better, since the woodblock details are finer, and the colors are the original ones), and whether the censor stamps at the edge are intact, prices can range from ju-go man en upwards, with a specimen in good condition in the range of ni-ju to san-ju man en (and maybe more).

Pickles,

Got it. Will get back to you.

Calcifer,

Shisen Hanten near Meiji-ya on Roppongi Dori. Arguably the best in town. Wanna lunch date when you are here? :)

I've taken Pickles, but I am sure he would not mind me two-timing him. ;)

Mike

Pickles,

Got it. Will get back to you.


Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. I should repay with a Ma Po Dofu lunch. This week NG, next week only Monday, the week of the 20th is good early part of the week.